Bible in 365 Days

Exodus 13-15 

Exodus 13

As the Passover feast signified the deliverance from death by obedience, and the sprinkling of blood signified redemption through death, the feast of Unleavened Bread was established in connection with it. This was to be a perpetual memorial of the necessity to abstain from anything and everything which cause disintegration in the national life. The chosen people were to be delivered from slavery into submission to the law of their one and only King.

It is significant that in connection with these feasts we have a distinct statement of the true purpose for establishing them, namely, instruction of the children. This throws light on the true value of symbolism. It is ever intended to arouse interest in the minds of the young in order that, true to their instincts, they may ask for information, which is to be supplied by their elders.

The nation delivered and consecrated is seen at once as under the direct government and guidance of God. "God led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near." "But God led the people about." The essential truths revealed here are that He leads and that there is a meaning and purpose in all such guidance. The longer journey was the outcome of His patient desire that they should not be discouraged at the beginning by warfare. It is very arresting that in connection with these movements the story is linked again with that in Genesis. Joseph had died in the faith that such an hour as this would come. He signalized his faith by commandment concerning his bones. The people then moving out from Egypt under divine direction carried those bones with them. As yet they were very far from the possibility of simple faith and needed signs. Hence God gave them the vision of the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.

Exodus 14

The first movement of the emancipated people was to march into the place of danger. It eventuated in the trial of their faith, as we shall see, but the divine meaning of it was told to Moses and it is full of solemnity. Pharaoh's final judgment must be carried out in such a way as to make its justice evident. The people were brought to a place where it would appear to the proud heart of the obstinate king that he could overcome them in spite of all previous divine intervention. Were ever the madness and blindness of sin persisted in more manifest than in the proud preparation of chariots and armies to overcome and destroy a people for whom God had so wondrously appeared?

The panic of the people is hardly to be wondered at when we think of their circumstances. Moses confronted them with magnificent courage and faith. The story of their deliverance needs no comment. It is full of life and color and dramatic power. The one great truth illustrated is that under divine government there can be no obstacles which cannot be overcome. What solemn awe must have inspired the hearts of the multitudes of Israel as they marched in silent companies along the strange highway, with the cloud of the divine Presence acting as their rear guard and the walls of the sea towering above them on the right hand and on the left. The new nation walked through a threatened death toward a new life in a consciousness of the presence and power of Jehovah from which they could not escape.

Exodus 15

It was a great and glorious song thatrose on the morning air on the far side of the sea. A study of it will reveal it to be a song of the King. It was a high ecstatic moment of national consciousness. In some aspect every movement of it sounds the praise of the King. The reason for the song is God Himself (Exodus 15:1-2). The victory against the proud foe is wholly Jehovah's (Exodus 15:3-10). The leading of His people is His alone (Exodus 15:11-13). The sense of dread that falls on the men of other nations who witnessed the passage is the issue of Jehovah's victory (Exodus 15:14-16). Their confidence, now high and hopeful, of finally coming into possession of their inheritance is centered wholly in Him (Exodus 15:7; Exodus 15:18).

Now begins the more direct story of Jehovah's guidance of the people. Marah and its bitterness afforded opportunity to discover the resources of Jehovah. Elim was an evidence of His tender care for them.

To those who have eyes to see and hearts to understand, the divine tenderness is manifest along the whole pilgrim pathway.